Influence of the recurrent syncope episodes on neurocognitive functions in patients with vasovagal syncope.

Unlabelled: The aim of study was to evaluate an influence of recurrent syncope episodes on the neurocognitive functions (NCF) in patients with suspected VVS.

Aim: The aim of study was to evaluate an influence of recurrent syncope episodes on the neurocognitive functions (NCF) in patients with suspected VVS.

Materials And Methods: Study population: 24 pts. (16 women) aged 17-70 yrs (mean age 40 years), with suspected VVS, referred to HUTT (head-up tilt test). All pts. underwent initial evaluation regarding to the number and circumstances of the syncopal and/or presyncopal spells. All pts performed HUTT with Westminster protocol. Basing on the syncope history and HUTT results, two groups of pts were distinguished: gr. I - 18 pts with at least 2 syncopal spells and positive HUTT, and gr. II 6 pts with only presyncopal status without complete loss of consciousness and negative HUTT. All pts underwent the evaluation of NCF with computer-assisted Vienna Test System battery, consisted of the following tests: DAUF - evaluation of long-term selective attention and concentration; COG - assessment of attention and concentration; STROOP - registration of the color-word interference tendency, CORSI - estimation of visual short-term memory capacity and implicite visuo-spatial learning. Values of the measured parameters were compared between both groups of pts.

Results: Patients without syncope (gr. II) had higher number of correctly reproduced sequences (11,0 vs 8,38 p<0,01) and Reliable Spatial Span score (5,50 vs 4,46,p<0,02) in CORSI test, in relation to pts with syncope history (gr. I). This suggests possible influence of the recurrent syncope episodes on the short-term memory capacity in pts with VVS. There were no significant differences between groups, comparing results of the other tests.

Conclusions: Repeated syncope episodes may lead to impairment of short-term memory capacity in patients with vasovagal syndrome. Syncope episodes may have potentially negative influence on neurocognitive functions in patients with vasovagal syndrome.